GAME REPORT

Szolnoki Hit Aalstar From Downtown

Szolnoki Olaj passed the century mark in a demolition of Okapi Aalstar on Tuesday.

In the EuroChallenge Last 16 game, the Hungarians prevailed 112-76 to leave both sides with 1-1 records in Group J.

Akos Horvath had 29 points and Obie Trotter 28 for the winners, who were 14 of 26 from long range.

The game was knotted at 28-28 at the end of the opening quarter but the hosts started the second period fast.

Horvath dunked and after teammate Marton Bader drilled a jumper, Horvath caught a pass from Obie Trotter and soared in for a lay-up on a fast break for a 34-28 lead.

Okapi twice reduced the deficit to three points, but Szolnoki were not to be denied.

Horvath's three-pointer stretched the lead to 47-38 with 3:59 to go in the first half and his jumper with 49 seconds to play made it 56-42 in favor of the home side.

Szolnoki ended up outscoring the visitors 28-20 in the third quarter for an 84-64 lead and Okapi capitulated in the fourth, allowing the home side to pour in 28 more points for a 36-point triumph.

The hosts were 60.8% from the floor and Okapi just 40.1%.

The visitors forced just three turnovers while committing 16 themselves.

Trotter and Mills each had four of the team's 15 steals, while Okapi came up with just one.

COACH QUOTES

Quotes Szolnoki Olaj KK vs. Okapi Aalstar

Okapi Aalstar head coach Bradley Dean:"My team and the home team both surprised me today. This is just only one game. Now we are 1-1 [in the Group]. They played really good defense. We will keep trying and don't give up [on our chances] to move to the next round."

Okapi Aalstar player Jorn Steinbach:"It's not a good feeling to have lost a game. But as the oach said it was just one game. We will try to learn from this game and forget our terrible performance. It's not an excuse that we are tired because we have a deep rotation."

Szolnoki Olaj head coach Péter Pór:"We play well in defense, we shot well and the players did what I asked them to do for 40 minutes."

Szolnoki Olaj player Márton Báder:"Our tactics were good. This is only one win, we continue in what we are doing. I don't feel my injury now but I just need more game to in order to be good again."